JST PH connectors use a 2.0mm pitch and carry 2A, making them a common choice for a 2.0mm pitch battery PCB connector. JST SH connectors use a 1.0mm pitch and carry 1A. JST XH connectors use a 2.5mm pitch and carry 3A. Pitch is the center-to-center spacing between contacts. The current rating is the maximum rated current per contact.

All three are board-to-wire connectors with shrouded headers. The key differences in pitch and current make the series physically incompatible, so they are not interchangeable. For board-to-wire applications, choose SH for tight spaces and signal-level current, PH as a 2.0mm pitch battery PCB connector for balanced size and power, and XH for higher current and secure locking.

Key Takeaways

• JST SH connectors have a 1.0 mm pitch and carry 1 A of current.
• JST PH connectors have a 2.0 mm pitch and carry 2 A of current.
• JST XH connectors have a 2.5 mm pitch and carry 3 A of current.
• These connectors are not interchangeable because their pitches differ.
• Choose SH for small spaces and low power, PH for balanced size and power, and XH for higher power and secure locking.
• Always derate the rated current to 70–80% for safety in real conditions.
• Verify the connector series by checking pitch and latch before ordering or assembling.
• Use the right wire gauge for each series to ensure a good crimp and reliable connection.

Quick Comparison Table

Specs at a Glance

The three JST series share a board-to-wire architecture. Their electrical and mechanical specifications diverge sharply. The table below consolidates the published figures for pitch, rated current, voltage rating, and supported wire gauge across the SH, PH, and XH families.

These figures reveal the key differences that drive selection. The SH series packs contacts at a 1.00 mm interval. It supports 1 A per circuit. The PH series doubles the pitch to 2.00 mm. It doubles the current capacity to 2 A. The XH series extends the pitch to 2.50 mm. It raises the current rating to 3 A per contact. Voltage ratings climb in step: 50 V for SH, 100 V for PH, and 250 V for XH. Wire gauge ranges also widen with pitch. SH accepts 28–32 AWG. PH and XH both accept 22–30 AWG.

How to Read the Table

Each column carries a specific meaning for design work. Pitch measures the center-to-center distance between adjacent contacts. A smaller pitch yields a denser contact arrangement on the PCB. A larger pitch provides more physical room for each contact and its terminal. The rated current column states the maximum current the connector carries per contact under the manufacturer's test conditions. Voltage rating defines the maximum working voltage across the connector. Wire gauge lists the conductor sizes that the crimp terminals accept.

The pin count multiplies these per-contact values. A 10-position SH connector carries up to 10 A total across all circuits. A 10-position XH connector carries up to 30 A total. Designers must evaluate the total current load against the per-contact rating and the pin count together. The table also shows that pcb headers for each series are molded to match their specific pitch. A header for one series will not accept a plug from another series. This physical distinction matters during board layout and during connector procurement.

For a 2.0mm pitch battery pcb connector, the PH row provides the relevant baseline. The 2.0 mm pitch spacing fits many compact battery interfaces. The 2 A per-contact rating covers typical portable device loads. Engineers comparing the three rows for board-to-wire applications should note that the table reports per-circuit values, not assembly totals. The next sections examine pitch and current in greater depth.

Pitch and Size Implications

What Pitch Actually Controls

The connector pitch sets the center-to-center distance between adjacent contacts. This single dimension drives the entire mechanical layout of the connector. A smaller pitch packs more circuits into the same board edge. A larger pitch gives each contact more room for its terminal, its housing wall, and its locking feature. The pitch difference between the SH, PH, and XH series explains most of their size and density variation.

Pitch also governs the pcb footprint constraints on the board. Each series needs its own land pattern, hole spacing, and keep-out zone. A designer cannot shrink a PH footprint to accept an SH header. The board layout must match the chosen series exactly.

JST SH at 1.0mm Pitch

The SH series uses a 1.0 mm pitch. This tight spacing makes it the densest of the three families. A 20-position SH connector occupies roughly 20 mm of board edge. The same circuit count in XH needs about 50 mm. The small pitch suits compact devices with limited board space. The trade-off is a lower current rating of 1 A per contact and a narrower wire range of 28–32 AWG. The SH series fits signal-level wiring inside handheld and wearable products.

JST PH at 2.0mm Pitch

The PH series uses a 2.0mm pitch. This spacing doubles the room per contact compared with SH. The extra space supports a 2 A rating and accepts 22–30 AWG wire. The PH series also offers a secure friction lock. Many battery interfaces rely on this series, and a 2.0mm pitch battery PCB connector is a common sight in portable electronics. The 2.00 mm pitch balances density against power handling. A designer gains twice the current capacity of SH while keeping the connector small enough for compact enclosures. The PH footprint stays manageable on dense boards, and the series remains easy to crimp and assemble in volume.

JST XH at 2.5mm Pitch

The XH series uses a 2.5 mm pitch, the widest spacing of the three families. Each contact gains more room for its terminal, housing wall, and locking feature. This extra space supports a 3 A rating per contact and a 250 V AC/DC voltage rating. The series accepts 22–30 AWG wire, the same range as PH.

Board density drops as pitch grows. A 10-position XH connector occupies roughly 25 mm of board edge. The same circuit count in PH needs about 20 mm, and in SH about 10 mm. Designers trade compactness for current capacity and mechanical security. The XH series suits applications where power delivery matters more than board real estate.

The XH locking mechanism sets it apart from the smaller series. A positive friction lock engages with an audible click and holds the plug firmly against vibration and accidental pull-out. The PH series also offers a friction lock, but the XH lock is larger and more robust. The SH series relies on a simpler retention design. For equipment that sees movement, shock, or repeated handling, the XH lock provides a clear advantage.

Crimp terminals for the XH series handle larger conductors than SH terminals. The 22 AWG capability supports higher current without excessive voltage drop. Assembly follows the same crimp-and-insert process as the other series. The larger contacts are easier to crimp by hand, which helps during prototyping and low-volume builds.

The XH footprint demands careful planning on dense boards. The 2.5 mm pitch and the taller housing consume more area than PH or SH. Designers should reserve adequate keep-out space around the header. The reward is a connector that carries 3 A per contact with a secure mechanical lock.

For a 2.0mm pitch battery PCB connector comparison, the XH row shows what a step up in pitch delivers: more current, higher voltage, and a stronger lock. The XH series fits power rails, motor connections, and board-to-wire links that exceed the PH rating. It remains a board-to-wire connector with a shrouded header, and it will not mate with PH or SH plugs.

Current Rating and Derating

Rated Current by Series

Each JST series carries a distinct rated current per contact. The SH series rates at 1 A. The PH series rates at 2 A. The XH series rates at 3 A. These figures come from the manufacturer's test conditions, which assume a specific ambient temperature and a specific temperature rise limit. The table below restates the values for quick reference.

The current per circuit depends on the contact material, the terminal design, and the housing material. A larger pitch gives each contact more metal and more surface area. That extra material lowers resistance and spreads heat. The XH series benefits most from this effect. The SH series accepts the trade-off of lower capacity for a smaller footprint.

Why Derating Matters

The published current rating assumes ideal conditions. Real assemblies rarely match those conditions. Bundled wires trap heat. High ambient temperatures reduce the margin between the contact temperature and its limit. Multiple adjacent contacts carrying current at once add to the thermal load. Designers should derate the rated current to account for these factors. A common practice applies a derating factor of 0.7 to 0.8 to the published value. A PH contact rated at 2 A then carries about 1.4 A to 1.6 A in a warm, bundled harness. This margin protects the connector from overheating and extends its service life.

Contact and Terminal Design Effects

The contact and terminal design shapes the current capacity of each series. The SH series uses a compact contact with a small mating area. This design suits low-current signals and keeps the connector small. The PH series uses a larger contact with more contact force and a wider mating surface. The XH series goes further with a robust terminal that handles 22 AWG wire and a strong contact spring. Crimp quality also affects performance. A poor crimp raises resistance and creates a hot spot. A proper crimp tool and a pull test confirm a sound termination. Designers should match the wire gauge to the terminal and verify the crimp before assembly.

Other Key Differences

Locking Mechanism

Retention design separates the three series as much as pitch does. The SH series offers no locking mechanism at all. Its retention relies solely on contact spring force, so it suits static, low-vibration assemblies. The PH and XH series both use a friction-style latch. A small tab on the header engages the plug and resists pull-out. The XH latch sits on a thicker connector housing, which gives it a firmer feel and stronger retention. The PH latch is smaller and depends on a molded friction fit.

Wire Gauge and Crimp Terminals

Crimp terminals accept different wire awg ranges across the series. The SH terminals take 28–32 AWG, which matches its signal-level role. The PH terminals accept 24–32 AWG. The XH terminals accept 22–28 AWG, and power runs benefit from 22–24 AWG to stay within the 3 A rating. A proper crimp tool and a pull test confirm each termination. Designers should match the wire gauge to the terminal before assembly.

Voltage Rating and Isolation

Voltage rating climbs with pitch. The SH series rates at 50 V AC/DC, the PH series at 100 V AC/DC, and the XH series at 250 V AC/DC. These values cover typical low-voltage board-to-wire links. None of the three series is specified for high-voltage isolation above 60 V. Designs that need greater isolation should consider alternatives such as Molex Micro-Fit or TE Connectivity Mini-Universal.

The key differences in locking, wire range, and voltage rating shape the final choice. Mount type stays consistent across the family: all three use shrouded headers with through-hole mounting on the PCB. Different mounting styles within each series, such as right-angle or vertical headers, affect board layout but not mating. Designers should confirm the header orientation and the connector housing height against the enclosure before finalizing the footprint.

Choosing the Right Connector for Board-to-Wire Applications

Application Guidance by Use Case

The use case narrows the choice quickly. Compact handheld devices, wearables, and sensor modules need dense wiring in a small footprint. The SH series fits these products well. Its 1.0 mm pitch packs many circuits into a short board edge, and its 1 A rating covers signal-level loads. Designers accept the lower power ceiling in exchange for space savings.

Portable electronics, battery packs, and general internal wiring call for a middle ground. The PH series delivers that balance. A 2.0 mm pitch battery PCB connector handles 2 A per contact and accepts 22–30 AWG wire. This range supports typical device loads without crowding the board. Many designers treat PH as the default for board-to-wire applications that need moderate power.

Power rails, motor leads, and connections exposed to vibration demand more. The XH series provides 3 A per contact, a 250 V rating, and a stronger friction lock. Equipment that sees movement or repeated handling benefits from this secure retention. The wider 2.5 mm pitch costs board space, and the payoff is higher current and a firmer mate.

Decision Checklist

A short checklist keeps the selection grounded in the actual design. Designers should confirm each item before locking in a part number.

The checklist turns three similar-looking families into a clear decision. Space and load usually settle the series first. Wire gauge and retention then confirm the fit. A designer who verifies all six items selects the correct connector with confidence and builds reliable, safe connections. The same discipline applies to any wire-to-board link, whether the board sits in a handheld unit or a fixed installation.

Avoiding Misidentification and Mismating

Visual Similarities to Watch For

The three series share a family resemblance that trips up even experienced buyers. Each one presents a small white plastic housing with a shrouded header. Color and general shape suggest a common part. Pitch differences across the 1.00–2.50 mm range are hard to judge by eye. Subtle latch positions and housing contours get overlooked during a quick visual check. The table below lists the common traps.

Do not select SH by appearance alone. GH can look similar in a photo, but GH uses 1.25 mm pitch and the two pitches are not interchangeable. Confirm pitch before approving a BOM because 1.0 mm SH and 1.25 mm GH are easy to confuse visually.

A connector identification guide helps here. It pairs each series with its pitch, latch style, and terminal family, so a buyer can match a part against known features instead of guessing from a photo.

Verification Practices

A short verification routine prevents most mismating errors. The steps below cover the essentials.

1. Confirm the pitch of the connector series before ordering. YH uses 1.25 mm, which is distinct from XH at 2.5 mm and PH at 2.0 mm.
2. Check the housing shape. Series like YH and XH look similar but will not mate reliably.
3. Avoid mixing housings across series and skip "universal" kits. Use verified pre-assembled connectors from reputable suppliers for plug-and-play reliability.

Keying and locking complete the picture. Keying uses unique housing shapes to block incorrect insertion. A locking mechanism secures the connection against vibration. The XH series combines keyed housings with a friction latch, and the SM series uses a friction latch alone. Shrouded and polarized designs guide insertion and protect contacts. Designers should also confirm the wire gauge against the terminal range, since an out-of-range conductor causes poor crimps or overheating.

The SH, PH, and XH series are physically incompatible by design. A plug from one family will not seat in another family's header. Buyers who treat them as incompatible parts and verify each order avoid rework, damaged contacts, and field failures.

Why These Connectors Are Not Interchangeable

Mating Compatibility Across Series

The three JST series share a family look, yet their mating interfaces differ in every critical dimension. A plug from one series will not seat in another series' header. The table below summarizes the mechanical and electrical gaps.

Pitch drives the first barrier. The center-to-center spacing scales from 1.00 mm to 2.00 mm to 2.50 mm across the series. Contacts at different spacings cannot align, so the housings are physically incompatible. Electrical tiers reinforce the separation. PH and XH handle 2–3 A per circuit, while SH caps at 1 A at 50 V AC/DC. Locking design adds another divide. PH and XH use a positive latch, and SH relies on friction-fit only. Wire gauge ranges also diverge: SH takes AWG 28–32, PH accepts AWG 24–30, and XH accepts AWG 22–30. The terminals are sized for different conductors. These series are neither mechanically nor electrically compatible, so designers must never treat them as interchangeable parts.

The 2.0mm Pitch Battery PCB Connector in Context

The PH series sits at the center of this family, and its 2.0mm pitch battery pcb connector serves as a common reference point. That connector carries a 2 A per-contact rating, a 100 V AC/DC voltage rating, and a contact resistance of 30 mΩ maximum. Insulation resistance reaches 1000 MΩ minimum, and the withstanding voltage is 500 V AC per minute. The operating range spans −25 °C to +85 °C. Housings use PA66 nylon with UL94V-0 flame rating, and contacts use tin-plated brass. Pin counts run from 2 to 16 positions, and the series supports 30 mating cycles minimum.

These specs explain the wide use of the PH series in battery connections. Small single-cell LiPo packs in the 100–2000 mAh range rely on this connector as a de facto standard. Arduino-compatible sensor boards, consumer electronics, drone wiring, and I2C or UART modules also use it. The 2 A rating supports roughly 1C charging up to 2000 mAh. Designers who compare a 2.0mm pitch battery pcb connector against SH and XH see the trade-off clearly: more current than SH, less board space than XH. A connector identification guide helps teams confirm the series before layout. For board-to-wire applications, the PH series remains the balanced middle choice, and its incompatibility with the other two series protects against accidental mismating.

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The core numbers settle the choice. SH offers a 1.0mm pitch and 1A. PH offers a 2.0mm pitch and 2A. XH offers a 2.5mm pitch and 3A. Pitch and current work together: pitch drives footprint and density, while rated current drives power handling. SH suits compact, low-current wiring. PH balances size and current for general use, and a 2.0mm pitch battery pcb connector covers many battery links. XH delivers higher current and a more secure lock. These series are not interchangeable, so readers should confirm part numbers and derate current for actual operating conditions.

FAQ

Can a JST SH plug mate with a PH or XH header?

No. Each series uses a different pitch, so the contacts cannot align. An SH plug measures 1.0 mm between contacts, a PH plug measures 2.0 mm, and an XH plug measures 2.5 mm. The housings also differ in shape and latch design. Designers must match the plug and header to the same series.

How does a designer tell SH, PH, and XH apart on a bench?

Pitch offers the most reliable check. A caliper reading across two adjacent contacts separates the three series quickly. Buyers should also compare the latch. SH has no latch, PH has a small header tab, and XH has a thicker housing with a firmer latch. A connector identification guide confirms the match.

Can a PH connector replace an XH connector when current stays low?

Sometimes, but the swap needs review. PH carries 2 A per contact and XH carries 3 A. A low-current load may fit within the PH rating after derating. The footprint changes, however, so the board needs a new land pattern. Designers should confirm voltage, wire gauge, and retention before approving the change.

How much should a designer derate the rated current?

A common practice applies a factor of 0.7 to 0.8 to the published rating. A PH contact rated at 2 A then carries about 1.4 A to 1.6 A in a warm, bundled harness. Adjacent loaded contacts and high ambient temperatures both raise the thermal load. Derating protects the connector and extends service life.

Which wire gauge should each series use?

SH terminals accept 28–32 AWG, which suits signal wiring. PH terminals accept 24–32 AWG, and XH terminals accept 22–28 AWG. Power runs benefit from the larger end of each range. Designers should match the conductor to the terminal and verify the crimp with a pull test.

Why does the 2.0mm pitch battery PCB connector remain so common?

The PH series balances size and power well. Its 2.0 mm pitch fits compact battery interfaces, and its 2 A rating covers small single-cell LiPo packs in the 100–2000 mAh range. The friction latch adds retention. Designers get more current than SH without the board space that XH demands.

What happens when a builder forces a mismatched pair together?

Never force a plug into a header from another series. Bent contacts, cracked housings, and intermittent connections follow, and the assembly may fail in the field.

The connector loses its rated current capacity and its retention. A forced mate also voids the manufacturer's specifications. Builders should discard damaged parts and confirm the series before assembly.

Do all three series use through-hole headers?

Yes. All three families offer shrouded headers with through-hole mounting. Each series also provides vertical and right-angle orientations. The mounting style affects board layout but not mating. Designers should confirm header orientation and housing height against the enclosure before finalizing the footprint.